Home » Personal Training » How to Become a Personal Trainer: Requirements & Costs for 2026

Revised April 23rd, 2026 | by Tyler Valencia, PhD(c)

Key Takeaways: Personal Trainer Qualifications in 2024

• The 60% Shift: While 90% of gyms once required NCCA-accredited exams, nearly 60% of employers now prioritize soft skills and internal onboarding over expensive certifications.
• Accreditation vs. Education: It is critical to understand that NCCA accredits the exam process, not the educational curriculum. An accredited exam (such as NASM or NCCPT) is a “ticket to sit” for a proctored test, whereas a course (such as KIPS) focuses on practical application.
• Cost of Entry: Expect to invest $600–$1,100 for an accredited exam pathway, or $400–$600 for a non-accredited education course that can still get you hired at a majority of gyms.
• Insurance Requirements: If you are hired as a 1099 contractor, you will likely need to purchase your own professional liability insurance (averaging ~$110/year), whereas W2 employees are typically covered by the gym.
• The “Experience” Gap: Hiring managers value active listening and adaptability more than a test score. New trainers should address their lack of experience head-on by demonstrating a willingness to learn from fitness directors.

Are you interested in becoming a personal trainer and curious about the requirements to get started? From 2024 onwards, an increasing number of gyms across the country have begun accepting non-accredited certifications, lowering barriers to entry. But what exactly is accreditation, and how does it influence a newcomer aiming to become a personal trainer? In this blog, we’ll cover the minimum requirements needed at about 60% of gyms in the U.S., and then explore the details to help you decide on making the initial investment in your new career.

Editor’s Note: Two years ago, the percentage of gyms that required an accredited personal trainer certification would have been closer to 90%. However, as hiring requirements have changed, more gyms are recognizing the importance of onboarding programs and soft skills that can’t be taught in entry-level certification programs.

Bare Minimum of Becoming a Personal Trainer

The safest but most expensive option to become a personal trainer at a gym is to purchase an accredited personal trainer exam. It’s important to make this distinction early in this post: accreditation organizations do NOT review the educational program; they focus solely on the process and development of the exam. Purchasing a personal trainer program from one of the NCCA-accredited organizations, such as NASM, ISSA* (own NCCPT), ACE, NSCA, NESTA, NFPT, or NCSF, would check off this box and get you a ticket to sit for the exam.

Purchasing a personal trainer program from one of the organizations above will cost between $600 and $1100. It will most likely include online training modules and a study packet. Successfully passing the proctored exam from one of these organizations will likely be the minimum qualification the gyms in your neighborhood seek.

How to Choose a Personal Training Certification: 3 Must-Ask Questions

Don’t guess which certification you need. Reach out to the hiring manager at a gym where you’d actually like to work and ask these three questions first:

1. “Do you require an NCCA-accredited certification for employment?”
   • Why it matters: Big-box gyms often require NCCA accreditation. If your dream gym doesn’t work, you can save hundreds of dollars by choosing a more budget-friendly program like KIPS.
2. “Does it matter if my certification exam was proctored or non-proctored?”
   • Why it matters: Some corporate insurance policies require a proctored exam (one taken under supervision). Knowing this upfront prevents you from having to retake a different exam later.
3. “Are there specific ‘Specialty Certifications’ you look for in new hires?”
   • Why it matters: A gym might value a “Kettlebell Instructor” or “Group Fitness” certificate more than a standard CPT. This helps you stand out from other entry-level applicants immediately.

Do you need personal trainer insurance?

The quick answer is most likely no. If you work for a large gym franchise, your insurance will cover you as long as you follow the facility’s guidelines. However, if you work at a small gym that hires 1099 independent contractors, you will likely need personal trainer insurance, which can now be purchased yearly (~$110) or monthly (~$10).

Do I need a degree to be a personal trainer?

In the United States, a degree in an exercise-related field is not required. While it is widely debated how having a degree affects a new personal trainer’s success, it can greatly help with resume building and passing a personal trainer certification exam.

Soft Skills & Experience

When getting ready for a personal trainer interview, the two most important things the hiring manager seeks are soft skills and personal training experience. Soft skills such as active listening and adaptability are important to the profession of personal training and take experience to develop.

If you are a new personal trainer who has just passed their exam and is now searching for their first training job, there’s a strong chance that you lack experience. You should address this head-on and state how eager you are to get experience and that you would enjoy learning from the fitness manager.

Non-Accredited Personal Trainer Exams

It is recommended that, no matter the type of gym you are seeking employment at, you should ask the hiring manager what certifications they accept. If the gym doesn’t require an accredited personal trainer certification, this can save you money and time when getting started working. Many large fitness education organizations, such as NASM and NCCPT, offer non-accredited options, as well as KIPS.

These options can be beneficial because they require a lower initial investment to become a personal trainer. They range in price from $400 to $600 and can all be completed from the comfort of your home.

Is a Proctored Exam Necessary?

Summary
The barrier to becoming a personal trainer is lower than ever, but that doesn’t mean the profession has become any easier. Personal trainers have a high turnover rate, with the overwhelming majority leaving within 1 year of employment (American Spa, 2019). This can be due to a lack of understanding of the career requirements and the high interpersonal skills needed to develop a manageable monthly income.

*ISSA is accredited by the DEAC but purchased NCCPT, which has an NCCA-accredited personal trainer exam.